Councilman Fulop says voters should decide if BOE Election date should be moved

COUNCILMAN FULOP ANNOUNCES ORDINANCE TO ALLOW PUBLIC VOTE ON NEW DATE FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTIONS

Ordinance Will Put Referendum Question on Ballot in November; BOE Member Adames Comments on public input approach Jersey City, NJ

(January 30, 2012) - Councilman Steven Fulop announced that he will introduce an ordinance at the February City Council meeting that will place a binding referendum question on the November 2012 election ballot for the residents of Jersey City to directly vote on their preference between a November or April Board of Education election. Governor Christie and the NJ State legislature have passed enabling legislation to give municipalities the option between April and November elections. The switch can be enacted via the municipal council, the board of education or a public referendum. The Jersey City Board of Education has been deadlocked at 4-4 with regards to the potential date switch.

“I am personally a proponent of changing the date to November elections because it will increase turnout and cut costs, but I understand both sides of the argument,” said Councilman Steven Fulop. “Nevertheless, I think the residents deciding themselves rather than the politicians making this decision is the best approach always" he concluded. Fulop is planning to work with the Board of Education and City Council members to construct the fairest question for the November ballot.

“I have been one that thinks April elections are better however this is a positive approach to working through a tough decision. Empowering residents to decide the direction of the City is always best” said BOE Member Marvin Adames. Currently, more than 50 municipalities in NJ have opted to switch their election to November.

For more information on this and other ordinances, please visit www.StevenFulop.com ###